The Humboldt County Planning Commission's decision to remove a section of the General Plan's goal of a county-wide trail system has caused an outcry among trail advocates.

One of the more outspoken critics was 3rd District Supervisor Mark Lovelace.

"For years, there have been stories and statements that the General Plan update process was flawed, driven by people with their own agenda who make decisions without giving enough time for adequate public input," Lovelace said. "While the process has had its problems in the past, it has never been as bad as it is now."

At the commission's Tuesday meeting, Commissioner Lee Ulansey motioned -- with additional input from Commissioner Kevin McKenny -- to change the goal within the plan's Conservation and Open Space Elements chapter from this:

"Well-maintained and accessible parks offering a range of popular to recreation opportunities and a county-wide trail system that meets future recreational and non-motorized transportation demands."

To this:

"Consider well-maintained and accessible parks and trails offering a range of popular recreation opportunities."

The newly phrased goal passed in a 4-2 vote, with Commissioners Noah Levy and Susan Masten dissenting; Commissioner David Edmonds was out of town.

While the commission has the ability to recommend changes, 2nd District Supervisor Estelle Fennell said that it's the Board of Supervisors that decides whether those changes will be implemented into the General Plan.

"I think people need to remember the Planning Commission doesn't have the final say on all of these things," Fennell said. "If people don't like what the Planning Commission is doing, they should let their supervisors know."

Commissioner Alan Bongio -- who voted in favor of the change -- said that the county must consider the feasibility of building a county-wide network of trails, which he considers to be a "lofty goal."

"I'm all for trails, but you have to be able to acquire the property to put them and have the money to build the thing and also maintain it afterwards," Bongio said. "Who's going to pay for all that?"

First District Supervisor and Board Chairman Rex Bohn said he has also been an advocate for trails -- especially with the proposed McKay Tract Community Forest in Eureka. But with the goal of county-wide system seeming too "vague," Bohn said that the county has to consider the financial impacts.

"We also have to think about what we can afford in the next 20 years," Bohn said. "We have to make sure our goals are attainable."

In an interview before Thursday night's commission meeting, Bongio said he was expecting the Board of Supervisors Chamber to be "packed" on Tuesday with trail advocates.

"Anytime there is any change to what the previous Planning Commission had decided on, there is going to be this," Bongio said.

Should Bongio's prediction come true, it would address one of Lovelace's main concerns with the commission.

"There is not enough public input to justify these sweeping changes that they're making," he said. "The only information in the room that the commission is basing these changes on are those with special interests as well as their own agendas."

One of the major issues critics have with the goal's alteration is that the commission did not consider the many years of public input that went into the plan's original draft. In response, Ulansey -- who voted in favor of the change -- said the public's input is always taken into consideration during their meetings, and he hopes more people will attend.

"I have been vocal for many years for encouraging public participation," Ulansey said. "At this point, I don't share (Lovelace's) perspective, but I'm looking forward to hearing other opinions and incorporating those into any future decisions."

After the Tuesday decision, Lovelace said that the commission has stepped beyond its role by implementing these changes and several others in their review of the chapter.

"This is absolutely not the role of this Planning Commission," Lovelace said. "They are an advisory body, not a policy body ... It is a rogue Planning Commission usurping the role of the Board of Supervisors."